Public Policy Matters

NIH Issues Information Request for New Health Care Funding

     The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is offering a rare opportunity for behavioral/social scientists doing fundamental work related to health and health care systems to help determine how NIH budgets a new $120 million to be awarded over the next 4-5 years. In setting the agenda, NIH plans a series of steps beginning with a widely distributed request for information (RFI) issued with a very short deadline of February 19. The initial NIH funding comes via the Recovery Act, which mandates spending by September 30.

     After receiving input in response to this RFI, NIH will continue to interact with the scientific community in shaping requests for applications targeted for this July or August (for FY 2011 funding). However, it is important to note that the impact of this initial RFI will extend well beyond the 2011 allocation, as it will help NIH define the overall program agenda. If HF/E is to be represented, it behooves those working in this general area to respond to the current request for comments, and to do so in strict conformance with the format provided in the NIH announcement. If you respond to this call, please cc the HFES Government Relations Committee at hfes-gr@hfes.org.

     You can find information about the new fund on the Basic Behavioral & Social Science Opportunity Network (OppNet) Web site. View the announcement here.

Read more health care articles in this issue of the Bulletin:

The Role of Human Factors in Home Health Care

Submissions Welcomed for Special Issue on Health Care

Back to the Table of Contents for the February 2010 HFES Bulletin

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Archive of past HFES Bulletin issues (in .pdf format)